NEWS
JAPANESE WHISKY SEEKS G.I. STATUS
By Tony Zhu
10-4-2025
Source: Unsplash
The Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association (JSLMA) has announced plans to apply for Geographical Indication (G.I.) status for Japanese whisky.
This significant step comes as the industry aims to clearly define and protect the unique characteristics associated with Japanese whisky.
The JSLMA declared in 2021 a set of rules to define Japanese whisky in an attempt to standardise the quality of Japanese whiskies.
These rules, came into force last April, stipulate that Japanese whisky must be 100 percent distilled, aged, and bottled in Japan. They have been honoured by major Japanese whisky producers.
To further strengthen the protection of Japanese whisky, the JSLMA is now seeking G.I. status.
Daisuke Tsukahara, chairman of JSLMA, noted that the move is to “protect the reputation” of Japanese whisky and “address consumer confusion”.
Despite previous efforts, many products are still misleadingly labeled as “Japanese whisky,” he said, and the G.I. application is expected to “strengthen” the current standards.
As part of this new effort, the JSLMA has also introduced a new logo for Japanese whisky. Products made by JSLMA members that comply with the industry standards can use the the new logo on their products.
(the writer can be contacted at: info@thewinechronicle.com)
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